Gardening
Plant and Protect Trees in Honor of Arbor Day
A garden of hostas beneath a Burr Oak tree.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Celebrate National Arbor Day, the last Friday in April, by planting new trees and caring for established ones in your landscape and community. This special holiday was first celebrated in 1872. Arbor Day celebrations continue to recognize the important role trees play in our environment and more recently their impact on our mental and emotional well-being.
These long-lived members of our landscapes and communities help combat flooding, shade our homes, reduce energy use, remove pollutants from the air and so much more. According to the USDA Forest Service, properly placed trees around buildings can help reduce air conditioning requirements by 30 percent and save between 20 to 50 percent on energy used for heating.
Trees also help improve water quality and reduce flooding. They lessen the impact of stormwater by intercepting rainfall, absorbing, and transpiring moisture from the soil into the air. Their canopies intercept and slow rainfall's velocity before it hits the ground. This reduces runoff and erosion, allowing more water to be absorbed by the soil instead of overwhelming our storm sewers.
Spending time among the trees also helps boost our immune system. Studies reveal tree-filled landscapes help decrease domestic conflict, as well as aggression and violence at schools. A mindful walk through the woods, known as forest bathing, helps reduce blood pressure and stress. It increases focus, energy levels, improves sleep and much more.
When planting new trees make sure to select one that will fit in the space when mature and thrive in the growing conditions. Look for those that provide multiple seasons of beauty and support birds and pollinators as they deliver the many other environmental benefits.
Select a planting location away from overhead and underground utilities to avoid future conflicts. Always call 811, a free underground utility locating service, at least three business days before putting the first shovel in the ground.
Water new plantings thoroughly when the top few inches of soil are crumbly and slightly moist. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to apply the water directly to the soil. Even established trees need to be watered during dry periods. Apply ten gallons of water for every inch of the trunk's diameter when the top four to six inches begin to dry.
Prevent hungry critters from dining on new and existing plantings. Apply an organic rain and snow resistant animal repellent like Plantskydd (plantskydd.com). This odor-based repellent deters animals before they take a bite out of your plants.
Protect new and existing trees from mowers and weed whips. Plant perennial groundcovers under the tree or cover the soil with two to three inches of shredded bark or woodchips. Be sure to keep the mulch off the trunk of the tree.
Take time not only on Arbor Day but everyday to plant, tend and enjoy trees that provide beauty, shade and so many benefits to our daily lives and future generations. Get the whole family involved and help improve the tree cover in your hometown so everyone benefits.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Antiques
Latest Auction News
It's almost a new month, which means it's time for another update on the latest auctions, antiques and collectibles news.
Many organizations are running auctions to support Ukrainian relief efforts. NPR recently reported that Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov will auction his Nobel Prize medal. Muratov is the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta. "Novaya Gazeta and I have decided to donate the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Medal to the Ukrainian Refugee Fund," Muratov said. Elsewhere, English cyclist Tony Martin will auction his Olympic silver medal for Ukrainian children and will be donating the proceeds to "Wir helfen Kindern," a foundation that support Ukrainian children and their families, according to a CNN report. Ten London jewelry designers have also joined forces to auction some of their pieces for the World Central Kitchen, which delivers food in conflict zones. Nationaljeweler.com reports that the auction can be found on Twitter and Instagram under #HandinHand.
In other news, collectibles have been bringing huge auction prices back in the United States. An auction record for a Disney toy was set when a Tippco Mickey and Minnie tin wind-up motorcycle from the early 1930s recently went on the auction block. The rare motorcycle had an estimate of $25,000 to $45,000, according to Air Fix Daily. The motorcycle had sold for $65,000 at auction 12 years ago when it was part of the Donald Kaufman collection. Kaufman was a co-founder of KB Toys. It far exceeded the estimate when it sold last month, fetching $222,000.
As for another type of collectible, the New York Times recently reported on the successful sale of a rare comic book. The first issue of Captain America was published in March 1941. The comic was printed nine months before the United States entered World War II. The cover image depicts Captain America punching Hitler while a bullet from a German soldier bounces off his shield. This high-grade Captain America issue #1 sold for $3.1 million, making it the fourth highest priced comic book ever.
Tiger Woods was in the news recently for playing in the Masters golf tournament after suffering severe injuries in a car accident a little over a year ago. A set of his golf clubs also aced the auction world recently. The "Tiger Slams" clubs were used by Woods when he won all four major tournaments in 2000 and 2001. USA Today reported the clubs to be "nine Titleist 681-T irons, 2-iron through pitching wedge, as well as two Vokey wedges." Todd Brock purchased the clubs for $57,242 in 2010 and kept them in a frame in his office. It proved to be a wise investment. They sold for $5,156,162. In comparison, CBS Sports reported that Tiger Woods' 47th place finish in this year's Masters earned him well under 10% of the club price at $43,500.
We have over 600 lots in our upcoming auction and will run the auction in two sessions. Session I will end on May 10th and will feature gold estate jewelry, coins and sterling silver flatware and hollow ware. Session II will end on May 11th and includes sports cards, historical items and a wide selection of other antiques and collectibles. Please visit our website www.centralmassauctions.com for a link to the auction and for other upcoming events.
Contact us at: Wayne Tuiskula Auctioneer/Appraiser Central Mass Auctions for Antique Auctions, Estate Sales and Appraisal Services www.centralmassauctions.com (508-612- 6111) info@centralmassauctions.com